Information Capacity and Transmission Are Maximized in Balanced Cortical Networks with Neuronal Avalanches

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4637-10.2011
• Publication Date: 2011-01-05T17:27:57Z
• Authors: Woodrow L. Shew; Hongdian Yang; Shan Yu; Rajarshi Roy; Dietmar Plenz
• Keywords: Local field potential; Information transmission; Premovement neuronal activity; Information Transfer; Information Theory; Stimulus (psychology)

The repertoire of neural activity patterns that a cortical network can produce constrains the ability to transfer and process information. Here, we measured obtained from multisite local field potential recordings in cortex cultures, urethane-anesthetized rats, awake macaque monkeys. First, quantified information capacity pattern ongoing stimulus-evoked using Shannon entropy. Next, efficacy transmission between stimulus response mutual By systematically changing ratio excitation/inhibition (E/I) vitro model, discovered both are maximized at particular intermediate E/I, which emerges as neuronal avalanches. used our model results correctly predict vivo interactions groups during activity. Close agreement experiments suggest avalanches peak arise because criticality general properties networks with balanced E/I.